System and method for automatically linking data sources for providing data related to a query

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method of linking a predefined set of electronic data sources comprises electronically identifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based on a query statement, electronically determining first data sources in which at least one of one or more source fields is equivalent to the query data item, determining whether any one of the first data sources has the ability to provide the data related to the one or more query dimensions, and identifying one or more second data sources within the database corresponding to one or more of the first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions. The one or more second data sources meet the following criteria: (1) one or more source fields of the one or more second data sources are equivalent to the one or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source; and (2) each source dimension of the one or more second data sources are either: (A) equivalent to a source field of the first source or (B) have values that are capable of being obtained from the query statement. One or more first data sources are linked with the corresponding one or more second data sources to generate one or more composite data sources to provide the necessary data in response to the query statement.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/729,373 (attorney docket no. 70137/3), entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORAUTOMATICALLY GENERATING INFORMATION WITHIN AN ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT,filed Mar. 28, 2007, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/257,230 (attorney docket no. 70137/10), entitledSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY SELECTING A DATA SOURCE FORPROVIDING DATA RELATED TO A QUERY, filed Oct. 23, 2008, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/177,742(attorney docket no. 70137/8), entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORAUTOMATICALLY SELECTING A DATA SOURCE FOR PROVIDING DATA RELATED TO AQUERY, filed Jul. 22, 2008, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for automaticallylinking data sources, and more specifically to linking data sourcesbased on their ability to provide data related to a query.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of data sources may be accessed to determine the appropriatedata in response to a query. For example, in business applications, acompany may maintain numerous databases that include various types ofdata related to sales, inventory, employees, budget, etc. Determiningwhich data sources are appropriate for obtaining data in response to aquery is a tedious and time-consuming process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer-implemented method of linking a predefined set of electronicdata sources according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprises the steps of: (a) providing a database stored on acomputer readable medium, wherein the database contains metadata relatedto the predefined set of electronic data sources, and the metadatacomprises, for each electronic data source, one or more source fields,each of the source fields comprising a data item or a source dimension;(b) electronically receiving first signals at a processor that isoperatively connected to computer readable media, wherein the firstsignals relate to a query statement for a data value; (c) electronicallyidentifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based onthe query statement; (d) electronically determining first data sourceswithin the database in which at least one of the one or more sourcefields is equivalent to the query data item; (e) determining whether anyone of the first data sources has the ability to provide the datarelated to the one or more query dimensions; (f) identifying one or moresecond data sources within the database corresponding to one or more ofthe first data sources if it is determined that the first data sourcesdo not have the ability to provide data related to the one or more querydimensions, the one or more second data sources meeting the followingcriteria: (1) one or more source fields of the one or more second datasources are equivalent to the one or more query dimensions not containedin the first data source; and (2) each source dimension of the one ormore second data sources are either: (A) equivalent to a source field ofthe first source or (B) have values that are capable of being obtainedfrom the query statement; (g) linking the one or more first data sourceswith the corresponding one or more second data sources to generate oneor more composite data sources.

In at least one embodiment, the metadata further comprises informationregarding whether a relationship exists between source dimensions of thedata sources.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the step ofupdating the database with information regarding whether therelationship between the source dimensions is a direct feed relationshipor an indirect feed relationship if it is determined that a relationshipexists between one or more source dimensions of the data sources.

In at least one embodiment, the relationship is a classificationrelationship.

In at least one embodiment, the relationship is an aggregationrelationship.

In at least one embodiment, the ability of the data source to providedata corresponding to the one or more query dimensions is determinedbased on whether one or more source dimensions of the data source areequivalent to the one or more query dimensions.

In at least one embodiment, the ability of the data source to providedata corresponding to the one or more query dimensions is determinedbased on one or more of the following: quality of data in the datasource, quantity of data in the data source, and user selection of oneor more preferred data sources.

In at least one embodiment, the ability of the data source to providedata corresponding to the one or more query dimensions is determinedbased on whether the data source includes one or more source dimensionsthat are related to the one or more query dimensions.

In at least one embodiment, the step of electronically determining firstdata sources comprises determining data sources in which at least one ormore source fields are synonyms of the query data item.

In at least one embodiment, the ability of the data source to providedata corresponding to the one or more query dimensions is determinedbased on whether one or more source dimensions of the data source aresynonyms of the one or more query dimensions.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises applying theone or more data sources sequentially to locate the data value.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises applying theone or more data sources in parallel to locate the data value.

In at least one embodiment, the step of electronically determining firstdata sources comprises electronically determining first data sources inwhich at least one or more source fields are the same as the query dataitem.

In at least one embodiment, the step of identifying one or more seconddata sources comprises identifying one or more second data sourcescomprising one or more source fields that are the same as the one ormore query dimensions not contained in the first data source.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the step ofelectronically and dynamically ranking each of the first data sourcesbased on one or more criteria, wherein the one or more criteria compriseat least the ability to provide data related to the one or more querydimensions and the extent of aggregation necessary to provide the data.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the step ofelectronically and dynamically ranking the composite data sources basedon the one or more criteria.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises electronicallyidentifying one or more of the composite data sources having the highestrank as preferred data sources for locating the data value.

These and other features of this invention are described in, or areapparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplaryembodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and related objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully understood by reference to the following,detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodimentof the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for automatically selecting a datasource for providing data related to a query according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for automatically selecting adata source for providing data related to a query according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for automatically selecting a datasource for providing data related to a query according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for automatically selecting adata source for providing data related to a query according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to amethod of prioritizing electronic data sources based on the datasources' ability to provide a data value in response to a querystatement. Each query statement may include a data item and one or moredimensions. For the purposes of the present invention, the term “dataitem” may refer to a variable for which a value is being sought. Forexample, in the query statement, “Price of an Acura RSX”, the data itemis “Price”. The term “dimension” refers to a category (qualifier) of thedata item. In the above example, “car manufacturer” and “car model” arethe dimensions, and “Acura” and “RSX” are the dimension values for thesedimensions, respectively.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a database containingmetadata relating to a set of data sources may be provided. The metadatamay include, for each data source, a collection of fields that mayinclude one or more source data items and optionally one or more sourcedimensions. For example, a data source may be a spreadsheet includinginformation regarding price and horsepower of particular car models andmakes, in which case the source data items would be “price” and“horsepower”, and the source dimensions would be the car model and make.The metadata may also include additional information, such asinformation relating to whether source dimensions are related and if so,what types of relationships exist between the source dimensions. Forexample, one dimension may be in a direct feed relationship or anindirect feed relationship with another dimension. For the purposes ofthe present invention, a dimension is in a “direct feed relationship”with another dimension when that dimension can be directly aggregated tothe other dimension. For example, a dimension value like “Mustang” maybe part of a group like “Ford”, and the child-parent relationship (e.g.,Mustang is a kind of Ford) between these values indicates a “directfeed” relationship between their respective dimensions (car models canbe aggregated to car manufacturer). Dimensions are in a “indirect feedrelationship” when one dimension can be aggregated to another dimensiononly after being aggregated to one or more other dimensions. Forexample, edition (e.g., Mustang GT) is a direct feed of car model (e.g.,Mustang) and an indirect feed of car manufacturer (e.g., Ford). Themetadata may also include information related to the key fields of thedata sources.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, prioritization ofthe data sources may be performed by first identifying those datasources that contain a source field that is equivalent to the data itemidentified in the query. Those data sources are then assigned a scorebased on the whether the data sources include the required dimensions.It is also determined whether a particular data source includesdimensions that are in a direct feed relationship or an indirect feedrelationship with other dimensions.

In an exemplary embodiment, a higher score is given to those datasources that include the required data item and dimensions. Also, ahigher score is given to data sources that include dimensions that arein a direct relationship to the required dimension as compared to datasources having dimensions that are in an indirect relationship to therequired dimension. Data sources not containing both the required querydata items and source dimensions that are equivalent to or aggregate toall query dimensions may be given a score of zero, indicating that suchdata sources are not capable of providing the necessary information inresponse to the query statement. Also, data sources that have additionalsource dimensions not needed for the query data may be assigned a lowerscore. It should be appreciated that the present invention is notlimited to this scoring scheme, and any other scoring method may be usedthat takes into account the above factors. For example, lower scores maybe assigned to data sources having the required data item and datadimensions.

The data sources are then prioritized based on their assigned scores. Inan embodiment, the data sources having the highest scores are preferredfor identifying the required data value in response to the query. In anembodiment of the invention, data sources having scores of zero wouldnot be considered.

The data source may further be prioritized based on other factors, suchas, for example, quality of data in the data sources, quantity of datain the data sources, and user selection of one or more preferred datasources.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system may be capableof recognizing synonyms so as to determine whether a particular sourcedata item matches a query data item or whether a particular sourcedimension matches or is related to a query dimension.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system, generally designated by referencenumber 1, for automatically selecting a data source for providing datarelated to a query according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The system 1 includes a processor 5, a memory 7, a databasemanager 10, a database 12, a query processor 20, a data source analyzer30, a data source scoring engine 40, a data source ranking engine 50,and a data source selection engine 60. Various components of the system1 may generate instructions that are executable on the processor 5. Inthis regard, the various components may be made up of computer softwarecomponents, computer hardware components, or a combination of softwareand hardware components.

The database manager 10 stores metadata relating to a predefined set ofelectronic data sources in the database 12. The database 12 may be avirtual database, a conventional database or a combination ofconventional and virtual databases. The database 12 may be locatedremote from the other components of the system 1, such as, for example,in remote communication over an Internet connection, WAN or LAN, orintegrated within the system 1. The metadata relating to the datasources may include, for each data source, at least one data item and atleast one dimension. The metadata may also include a list ofrelationships between dimensions. For example, there may beclassification relationships (e.g., the dimension value “April-2008” isa sub-class of the dimension “month”; the dimension value “Google” is asub-class of the dimension “company”; the dimension value “Camry” is asub-class of the dimension “car model”) and hierarchy relationships(e.g., the dimension values “April-2008”, “May-2008” and “June-2008”aggregate to the dimension value “2Q08”; the dimension values “MDX”,“RDX”, “RL”, “TL” and “TSX” aggregate to the dimension value “Acura”)between dimensions. Further, a dimension may be a direct or indirectfeed into other dimensions. In this regard, in combining the metadatainto a dimension/data feed list, the system 1 may automatically build alist of all dimensions appearing in any of the data sources, assign aone or more character code for each dimension, build a list of whichdimensions may feed directly into other dimensions by identifying whichdimension values aggregate into values of other dimensions, and build alist of which dimensions can feed indirectly into other dimensions byapplying multiple feeds. For time dimensions, a dimension/data feedtable may be provided automatically with, for example, “Day”, “Week”,“Month”, “Quarter”, “HalfYear”, “Year”, where each dimension feeds thoseof longer duration.

The query processor 20 receives and analyzes a query to determine aquery data item and a query dimension. Preferably, the query processor20 is capable of recognizing dimensions and data items, otherwise knownas data descriptors, within a query. In this regard, a rule-basedalgorithm may be used to determine the data descriptors. For example,such an algorithm may use rules based on the relative location or theformat of the entered query, or such rules may predefine a specific dataentry as a data item or a dimension. As a further example, in the casein which the query is in the form of a spreadsheet having blank fields,the query processor 20 may recognize the row and column headers as datadescriptors. It should be appreciated that the present invention is notlimited to the use of a rule-based algorithm for the determination ofdata descriptors. For example, the query processor 20 may use naturallanguage processing, or the query processor 20 may communicate with auser to determine the context in which an ambiguous term is used (e.g.,the term “Ford”, which may refer to the automobile manufacturer, thebrand of automobile or the person). In this regard, the query processor20 may communicate with the user by, for example, a dialog box, instantmessage or e-mail.

The data source analyzer 30 determines which of the data sourcesincludes a source field that is equivalent to the query data item. Inthis regard, the data source analyzer 30 may compare the query data itemrecognized by the query processor 20 with the source fields in each ofthe data sources.

The data source scoring engine 40 assigns a score to the data sourcesbased on a number of factors, including the ability to provide data atthe query dimensions and the extent of aggregation necessary to providethe data at the query dimensions. In an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the data source scoring engine 40 assigns a score of“0” to any data source that does not contain the required data item andthat data source is eliminated. For each query dimension and for eachdata source, if the data source has a dimension that directly matchesthe query dimension, a predetermined number X of points is added to thatdata source's score (e.g, X=10,000). If the data source has a dimensionthat is in a direct feed relationship with the query dimension, apredetermined number Y of points is added to that data source's score,where Y<X (e.g., Y=100). If the data source has a dimension that is inan indirect feed relationship with the query dimension, a predeterminednumber Z of points is added to that data source's score, where Z<Y<X(e.g., Z=1). If the data source does not include a dimension thatmatches or is related to the query dimension, that data source isassigned a score of “0”. If all data sources are assigned scores of “0”,it may be determined by a separate algorithm that two or more datasources appropriately joined together may function as a single datasource that would qualify for a non-zero score. In an exemplaryembodiment, if a data source has additional dimensions not used for thequery, that data source's score may be divided by some amount (e.g., 10)for each such dimension.

The data source scoring engine 40 may take other factors intoconsideration besides the ability of the data sources to provide data atthe query dimensions and the extent of aggregation necessary to providethe data at the query dimensions. For example, quality of data, quantityof data and user selection of preferred data sources may also beconsidered.

The data source ranking engine 50 ranks the data sources based on theirscores assigned by the data source scoring engine 40. The data sourcewith the highest non-zero score is the preferred data source, and may bequeried first. The remaining data sources are preferably ranked indescending order by score as backup sources for the query. If multipledata sources are assigned scores greater than zero, a computerimplemented algorithm may be used to search those data sources for datavalues that satisfy the query. These searches may be done eithersequentially, starting with the highest rated source and continuinguntil either the query is satisfied or all data sources are exhausted,or in parallel, with query requests sent to all qualifying sources atthe same time.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method, generally designated byreference number 200, for automatically selecting a data source forproviding data related to a query according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. In step S210, the query processor 20determines a query data item and one or more query dimensions based onthe query. As explained above, the data descriptors related to the querymay be determined using, for example, a rule-based algorithm.

In step S220, the data source analyzer 30 determines which of the datasources have source fields that are equivalent to the query data item.Any data sources that do not include the query data item are eliminatedas potential data sources for the query.

In step S230, the data source scoring engine 40 assigns a score to thedata sources based on a number of factors, including, for example, thedata source's ability to provide data at the one or more querydimensions and the extent of aggregation necessary to provide the datavalue at the query dimension. In this regard, a higher score may begiven to those data sources that include the query dimension, and alower score may be assigned to those data sources that includedimensions that are related to the query dimensions. A lower score maybe assigned to those data sources that include dimensions that are in anindirect relationship to the query dimension as compared to the scoreassigned to data sources having dimensions that are in a directrelationship with the query dimension. Scoring may also be based on, forexample, quality of the data in the data source, quantity of data in thedata source, and user selection of one or more preferred data sources.

In step S240, the data source ranking engine 50 ranks the data sourcesbased on the their assigned scores, with the highest scored data sourcepreferably ranked first. In step S250, the data source selection engine60 selects highest scored data source as the preferred data source forproviding the data in response to the query. The remaining data sourcesare made available as back-up data sources in case the preferred datasource is unable to provide the necessary data.

The following example demonstrates a selection of a data source based ona query according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention:

EXAMPLE 1

The following query is input by a user:

Data Item: Sales Dimensions/Values: Model = Camry Month = April-08

The data source database includes the following metadata related to anumber of available data sources (Tables 1-6):

Table# Term Data Item Dimension 1 Sales Yes No Month No Yes Model No Yes2 Sales Yes No Corp No Yes Year No Yes HQ State No Yes 3 Sales Yes NoRegion No Yes Company No Yes Day No Yes 4 Sales Yes No Dealer No YesEdition No Yes Model No Yes Year No Yes 5 Sales Yes No Deliveries Yes NoDealer No Yes Model No Yes Week No Yes 6 Deliveries Yes No State No YesModel No Yes Quarter No Yes

The data source database also includes the following lists ofclassification and aggregation relationships:

Is A Sub-Class Classification Relationships: Entity Of Camry ModelAccord Model Toyota Company Lincoln Company Ford Motor Corp GeneralMotors Corp

Aggregation Relationships: Entity Aggregates To Camry Toyota OdysseyHonda Accord Honda Town Car Lincoln Lincoln Ford Motor Chevrolet GeneralMotors

The database manager generates the following dimension/data feed listusing all dimensions included in the data sources, with feeds impliedfrom the hierarchy relationships:

Indirect Code Dimension Direct Feeds Feeds A Model F B Company AE F C HQState BH AEF D Region G E Dealer F Edition G State H Corp B AEF 1 Day 2Week 1 3 Month 12 4 Quarter 123 5 Year 1234

Using the metadata stored in the system database, the data sourceanalyzer and data source scoring engine is able to generate thefollowing list of scored data sources:

Table # Score 1 20000 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 1010 6 0

The scoring is determined as follows:

-   -   1. Tables 1-5 all contain the query data item (Sales). Table 6        does not, so it is eliminated as a potential data source for the        query.    -   2. Tables 2 and 4 are ineligible because their time dimension        (Year) is more aggregated than the required query time dimension        (Month).    -   3. Table 3 does not contain the query dimension (Model). It does        contain Region and Company, but neither of these dimensions can        be aggregated to the dimension Model.    -   4. Table 1 is the preferred source, since it has the highest        score (20,000). Table 1 contains both query dimensions, Month        and Model, as source dimensions.    -   5. Table 5 is the only eligible backup source. Table 5 does        contain the query data item (Sales) and query dimension (Model).        It also has a dimension (Week) that is a direct feed to query        dimension (Month). In addition, it has one dimension (Dealer)        that is not used for the query.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system, generally designated by referencenumber 400, for automatically selecting a data source for providing datarelated to a query according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As in the previous embodiment, the system 400 includes aprocessor 405, a memory 407, a database manager 410, a database 412, aquery processor 420, a data source analyzer 430, a data source scoringengine 440, a data source ranking engine 450, and a data sourceselection engine 460. As explained in further detail below, the system400 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes adata source score analyzer 470 and a composite data source generator480. Various components of the system 1 may generate instructions thatare executable on the processor 5. In this regard, the variouscomponents may be made up of computer software components, computerhardware components, or a combination of software and hardwarecomponents.

The data source score analyzer 470 determines whether any one of thedata sources scored by the data source scoring engine 440 has a scorethat indicates the data source has the ability to provide data relatedto the query dimensions. For example, in the case in which any scorehigher than zero indicates an appropriate data source, the data sourcescore analyzer 470 may determine whether any of the data sources have anon-zero score. Situations in which no data sources may be appropriateto provide the required data may occur when, for example, there are noexisting data sources in which source dimensions of the data source arethe same as the query dimensions, there are no existing data sources inwhich source dimensions of the data source are equivalent (e.g.,synonyms) to the query dimensions, or there are no existing data sourcesin which source dimensions of the data source are in a direct orindirect feed relationship to the query dimensions.

The composite data source generator 480 automatically identifies andlinks appropriate data sources to provide data related to the query ifthe data source score analyzer 470 determines that none of the datasources on their own are capable of providing the data. In this regard,the composite data source generator 480 may identify second data sourcesbased on specific criteria that indicates the second data sources arecapable of being linked with the first data sources to provide theappropriate data. For each of the first data sources, the criteria usedto determine the second data sources may be:

-   -   CRITERIA 1: at least one of the source fields of the second data        sources must be equivalent to a query dimension not contained in        the first data source; and    -   CRITERIA 2: each source dimension of the second data sources        must either:        -   CRITERIA 2A: be equivalent to a field in the first data            source; or        -   CRITERIA 2B: have a value that is capable of being obtained            from the query statement.

The following examples illustrate the functions of the composite datasource generator 480:

EXAMPLE 2

A user inputs a query statement for the number of basketball players inthe NBA who attended a particular college (UCLA or Georgia Tech) and forthe number of points the players scored.

The data source database includes Table A, which is a table of datahaving a single source dimension field, “Player”, and several data itemfields, including “Height”, “Birthdate” and “College”, and Table B,which is a table of data having two source dimension fields, “Player”and “Team”, and several data item fields, including “Games Played”,“Points”, “Rebounds” and “Assists”. Since the field “Points” is includedin Table B, Table B may be used to satisfy the query for the number ofpoints scored by the players. However, Table B does not include thefield “College”. Table A does include the field “College” and thus TableA satisfies Criteria 1. In this case, the one source dimension field ofTable A, “Player”, is a field of Table B, so Table A satisfies criteria2A. Thus, Tables A and B taken together are identified as a valid datasource where “College” is effectively treated as an additional field ofTable B.

EXAMPLE 3

A user inputs a query statement for what colleges were attended by anybasketball players who played for the Lakers. The same two data sourcesfrom Example 2 are made available.

Since the query data item “College” only appears in Table A, only TableA is identified as a potential data source for providing the requireddata. However, Table A does not include the query dimension “Team”.Table B does include the query dimension “Team”, and thus Table Bsatisfies Criteria 1 and is identified as a potential data source forlinking with Table A to obtain the required data. The source dimensionfield “Player” in Table B is equivalent to the field “Player” in TableA, satisfying criteria 2A. Also, the source dimension field “Team” ofTable B is set to “Lakers” in the query statement, so that the sourcedimension field “Team” satisfies Criteria 2B. Thus, Tables A and B takentogether are identified as a valid data source.

The data source scoring engine 440, the data source ranking engine 450,and the data source selection engine 460 function as in the previousembodiment to score, rank and select composite data sources that areable to provide the required data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method, generally designated byreference number 600, for automatically selecting a data source forproviding data related to a query according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. In step S610, the query processor 420determines a query data item and one or more query dimensions based onthe query. As explained above, the data descriptors related to the querymay be determined using, for example, a rule-based algorithm.

In step S620, the data source analyzer 430 determine which of the datasources have source fields that are equivalent to the query data item.Any data sources that do not include source fields that are equivalentto the query data item are eliminated as potential data sources for thequery.

In step S630, the data source scoring engine 440 assigns a score to thedata sources based on a number of factors, including, for example, thedata source's ability to provide data at the one or more querydimensions and the extent of aggregation necessary to provide the datavalue at the query dimension. In this regard, a higher score may begiven to those data sources that include the query dimension, and alower score may be assigned to those data sources that includedimensions that are related to the query dimensions. A lower score maybe assigned to those data sources that include dimensions that are in anindirect relationship to the query dimension as compared to the scoreassigned to data sources having dimensions that are in a directrelationship with the query dimension. Scoring may also be based on, forexample, quality of the data in the data source, quantity of data in thedata source, and user selection of one or more preferred data sources.

In step S640, the data source score analyzer 470 determines whether anyone of the data sources scored by the data source scoring engine 440 hasa score that indicates the data source has the ability to provide datarelated to the query dimensions. For example, in the case in which anyscore higher than zero indicates an appropriate data source, the datasource score analyzer 470 may determine whether any of the data sourceshave a non-zero score.

If it is determined in step S640 that there are data sources with anapproved score, process continues on as in the previous embodiment tostep S650, where the data source ranking engine 450 ranks the datasources based on the their assigned scores, with the highest scored datasource preferably ranked first. In step S660, the data source selectionengine 460 selects the highest scored data source as the preferred datasource for providing the data in response to the query.

If it is determined in step S640 that there are no data sources with anapproved score, process flows to step S670, where the composite datasource generator 480 automatically identifies and links appropriate datasources to provide data related to the query. As discussed above, thecomposite data source generator 480 may identify second data sourcesbased on Criteria 1 and Criteria 2A or Criteria 2B that indicates thesecond data sources are capable of being linked with the first datasources to provide the appropriate data.

From step S640, the process then jumps back to step S630, where the datasource scoring engine 440 assigns a score to the generated compositedata sources. The process then continues through steps S640-S660 toselect the highest scored composite data source as the preferred datasource for providing the data in response to the query.

Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described in detail, various modifications and improvementsthereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced therein.

1. A computer-implemented method of linking a predefined set ofelectronic data sources, the method comprising the steps of: (a)providing a database stored on a computer readable medium, wherein thedatabase contains metadata related to the predefined set of electronicdata sources, and the metadata comprises, for each electronic datasource, one or more source fields, each of the source fields comprisinga data item or a source dimension; (b) electronically receiving firstsignals at a processor that is operatively connected to computerreadable media, wherein the first signals relate to a query statementfor a data value; (c) electronically identifying a query data item andone or more query dimensions based on the query statement; (d)electronically determining first data sources within the database inwhich at least one of the one or more source fields is equivalent to thequery data item; (e) determining whether any one of the first datasources has the ability to provide the data related to the one or morequery dimensions; (f) identifying one or more second data sources withinthe database corresponding to one or more of the first data sources ifit is determined that the first data sources do not have the ability toprovide data related to the one or more query dimensions, the one ormore second data sources meeting the following criteria: (1) one or moresource fields of the one or more second data sources are equivalent tothe one or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source;and (2) each source dimension of the one or more second data sources areeither: (A) equivalent to a source field of the first source or (B) havevalues that are capable of being obtained from the query statement; (g)linking the one or more first data sources with the corresponding one ormore second data sources to generate one or more composite data sources.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata further comprisesinformation regarding whether a relationship exists between sourcedimensions of the data sources.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising the step of updating the database with information regardingwhether the relationship between the source dimensions is a direct feedrelationship or an indirect feed relationship if it is determined that arelationship exists between one or more source dimensions of the datasources.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the relationship is aclassification relationship.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein therelationship is an aggregation relationship.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the ability of the data source to provide data corresponding tothe one or more query dimensions is determined based on whether one ormore source dimensions of the data source are equivalent to the one ormore query dimensions.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ability ofthe data source to provide data corresponding to the one or more querydimensions is determined based on one or more of the following: qualityof data in the data source, quantity of data in the data source, anduser selection of one or more preferred data sources.
 8. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the ability of the data source to provide datacorresponding to the one or more query dimensions is determined based onwhether the data source includes one or more source dimensions that arerelated to the one or more query dimensions.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of electronically determining first data sourcescomprises determining data sources in which at least one or more sourcefields are synonyms of the query data item.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the ability of the data source to provide data corresponding tothe one or more query dimensions is determined based on whether one ormore source dimensions of the data source are synonyms of the one ormore query dimensions.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprisingapplying the one or more data sources sequentially to locate the datavalue.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the one ormore data sources in parallel to locate the data value.
 13. The methodof claim 1, wherein the step of electronically determining first datasources comprises electronically determining first data sources in whichat least one or more source fields are the same as the query data item.14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying one or moresecond data sources comprises identifying one or more second datasources comprising one or more source fields that are the same as theone or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source. 15.The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of electronically anddynamically ranking each of the first data sources based on one or morecriteria, wherein the one or more criteria comprise at least the abilityto provide data related to the one or more query dimensions and theextent of aggregation necessary to provide the data.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising the step of electronically and dynamicallyranking the composite data sources based on the one or more criteria.17. The method of claim 16, further comprising electronicallyidentifying one or more of the composite data sources having the highestrank as preferred data sources for locating the data value.